Podcast
Party Politics
A political podcast from two smart guys providing you with up-to-date policy and politics for your next cocktail party.
Available on:
Podcast
Fire Triangle
In the past two years, half a dozen chemical disasters have ripped apart Texas neighborhoods, sent dozens of people to the hospital and killed unsuspecting bystanders as well as workers. Texas Public Radio and Houston Public Media spent the better part of 2020 investigating these events to answer the question: why do so many chemical disasters keep happening in Texas, and what—if anything—is being done to prevent more?
Available on:
Podcast
Houston Matters
Podcast
Houston Public Media Local Newscasts
Local newscasts from Houston Public Media, updated during drive times.
Available on:
Podcast
Next Question with Ernie Manouse
Houston
Brittney Griner’s former coach, local political expert weigh in on her release
Posted on · Griner was released from a Russian prison on Thursday morning, nearly nine months after first being detained. Her former Houston-area high school coach said she was "ecstatic" at the news.
Elections
More challenges could be coming after another Republican contests Election Day loss in Harris County
Posted on · Houston-area Republicans Mike May and Erin Lunceford, who both lost their races on Nov. 8, are asking for the results to be invalidated and for new elections to be held.
Criminal Justice
Harris County Jail detention officer beats man and puts him in coma, family alleges
Posted on · Two days after entering Harris County Jail, Adael Gonzalez Garcia was put into a coma after an incident with a detention officer.
News
Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian prisoner the U.S. traded for Brittney Griner?
Posted on · Bout is a Russian who was the world's most notorious arms dealer in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was serving a 25-year prison sentence in Illinois before being freed as part of a U.S.-Russia swap.
Harris County
An election probe heightens the tension between Texas leaders and the Houston area
Posted on · After a series of issues in Democratic-leaning Harris County on Election Day, Republican state leaders in Texas have suggested criminal charges may be warranted.
City of Houston
Houston City Council passes ordinance requiring permits for outdoor music events
Posted on · According to city and law officials, numerous private events have taken place without sufficient planning, which results in the city having to intervene and city resources being spent by requiring police and first responders at events.
Local
Houston man Aamir Ali found dead in Canyon Lake after going missing during camping trip
Posted on · Authorities had been searching for Ali, a 22-year-old former University of Houston student, since he was reported missing on Saturday.
Technology
TikTok banned from government-issued devices in Texas
Posted on · The directive from Gov. Greg Abbott comes the same day the state of Indiana filed a lawsuit against the app.
International
WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in US-Russia prisoner swap
Posted on · Biden's authorization to release a Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death" underscored the escalating pressure that his administration faced to get Griner home, particularly after the recent resolution of her criminal case and her subsequent transfer to a penal colony.
Houston Matters
Brittney Griner released (Dec. 8, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: We discuss what we know about Griner’s release and whether the prisoner the United States released is a steep price to pay. And we learn why the League of Women Voters of Houston is shifting from a volunteer-only organization to hiring staff.
Transportation
United pilots picket board meeting in Houston, demanding better pay and work-life balance
Posted on · A group of about 300 United employees protested outside in downtown in hopes of better employment contracts at a pivotal time for the industry.
Traffic
Third Ward bike-lane project moving forward despite pushback from Houston City Council member
Posted on · Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz has organized a townhall meeting Thursday to discuss the details of an ongoing road reconstruction project that includes the addition of bike lanes and reduction of vehicle lanes. But Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, putting up most of the money for the project, says it's proceeding as planned.
Houston
Police respond to call at Houston home of Sen. Ted Cruz; HPD says no criminal activity involved
Posted on · Cruz resides at the River Oaks home with his wife and two daughters.
League City
League City Council approves criteria change for children’s books in the city library
Posted on · The policy will prohibit the city from spending tax dollars on children's books that feature "obscenity or other harmful content."
Housing
Why some Texas cities and counties had to return millions of dollars meant to help renters during the pandemic
Posted on · For some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.
Texas
New Texas House bill would give survivor benefits to families of National Guard who die on state active duty
Posted on · State Rep. Richard Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, said he designed the legislation with Operation Lone Star in mind.
Food
One of the first robot servers in Houston rolls out at UH’s Eric’s Restaurant
Posted on · Servi is the newest addition to the team at Eric's, which is part of the Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership.
Energy & Environment
EPA finds the cleanup of the Jones Road Superfund in Northwest Harris County “not protective” of human health
Posted on · The Superfund site is located in the Cypress Shopping Centre strip mall off Jones Road. A former dry cleaners failed to dispose of its chemicals properly, contaminating the groundwater and soil.
Houston Matters
The Full Menu: Houston’s best soups
Posted on · In this month's installment of The Full Menu, food writers discuss their favorite soups at restaurants around Greater Houston.
Houston Matters
The Texas Killing Fields, and Houston’s best soups (Dec. 7, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: A new series on Netflix examines The Texas Killing Fields, a string of unsolved murders along a stretch of I-45. Then, we discuss the week in politics. And food writers talk about their favorite places for soup in the city.